30 Jan 2016

Shearer forced to apologise over TPP comments

6:47 am on 30 January 2016

Opposition Leader Andrew Little has made David Shearer apologise for his comments yesterday about personally supporting the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Labour party leader Andrew Little during caucus run.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Mr Little said Mr Shearer agreed the comment was careless and did not represent the decision made by the caucus.

Labour yesterday made it clear it will not be supporting the TPP deal, which is set to be signed in Auckland next week.

Labour leader Andrew Little described the deal as an attack on democracy, saying it undermined the sovereignty of Parliament by preventing a future government from banning foreign home buyers.

Speaking tonight about Mr Shearer's TPP comments, Mr Little said every caucus member knew collective responsibility was a requirement of the party.

David Shearer

David Shearer Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Mr Little has given senior MP Phil Goff special dispensation to vote with the government in favour of the deal.

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